Oprah Winfrey to speak at Harvard commencement

Oprah Winfrey attends the premiere of "Beyonce: Life Is But A Dream" at the Ziegfeld Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 in New York.Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Talk show host and media entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey has been selected as one of the principal speakers at Harvard University's commencement.

Winfrey, who has used her success to promote education, civic engagement, and charitable works, will be the principal speaker at the afternoon exercises at Harvard's 362nd commencement on May 30.

Harvard President Drew Faust said in a statement Monday that Winfrey's journey from her grandmother's Mississippi farm to one of the world's most admired women "is one of the great American success stories."

Through her private foundation, Winfrey has awarded hundreds of grants to organizations that support education and the empowerment of women, children, and families worldwide.

Afternoon exercises serve as the annual meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association.